Reviews

Barrell Rum Batch 001 Review


Joe Beatrice can pick some fantastic barrels of whiskey.  However, his newest release is something entirely different.  Enter Barrell Rum batch 001.  It’s a 7-year-old Jamaican pot still rum, bottled at a cask strength of 134.73 proof.  The rum matured in ex-bourbon barrels in Jamaica, and was crafted and bottled in Kentucky.  A 7-year-old, cask strength Jamaican rum?  Yes please.

One thing to note is no coloring, sweetening or flavoring has been added.  It syncs with Beatrice’s MO to bottle everything in its natural state, so to speak.  For that, we’re thankful.

So, how is it?

There is lots going on in the nose: vanilla, molasses, carmelized onions, toasted oak, and hints of coconut water and spice.  On the palate, I get waves of cooked sugar cane and vanilla extract.  Some small spikes of baking spice crack their way through, along with vibrant lime and green banana.  The warm finish leaves a spicy ginger and raw sugar cane note.  Very potent, and slightly astringent.  A splash of water helps combat the dryness a bit.

What a wonderful array of flavors!  I hope every future release of Barrell Rum showcases a different style of the spirit.  Every time I taste a release from this company, I can’t help but guess what’s in the future.  A rye whiskey perhaps?  Maybe a brandy?  How about a single malt?  We’ll just have to be patient.  In the meantime, I’m going to pour another glass of this rum.  Good stuff.  8.5/10

Barrellbourbon.com

Thanks to Barrell Craft Spirits for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yellowstone 2016 Limited Edition Bourbon Review

This year’s limited edition of Yellowstone bourbon from Limestone Branch is a blend of 12-year and 7-year whiskies.  Both feature rye as the flavoring grain in their mashbill.  The blend was finished in new toasted wine barrels.  No, these aren’t used wine barrels.  They are brand new ones, so don’t expect any wine notes.  The 2016 release is bottled at 101 proof and retails for about $100.  It’s truly limited – only 7,000 bottles have been produced.  

“We used 28 new wine barrels with varying levels of toast – I was interested in how toasting versus charring would contribute to the bourbon,” says Steve Beam, president and distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery. “The result was a delightful nose that is full of vanilla, sweet tea and summer fruit with a hint of smoke.”

Let’s see how this year’s bottling tastes.  The nose features candied fruits, brown sugar, some baking spice and a touch of vanilla.  Taste-wise, we’re talking in initial sweet caramel blast, followed by waves of spice, chocolate covered cherries, and some smoky vanilla.  The long finish carries a little heat and some toffee chews.

This is an entirely new blend compared to last year’s, and it’s an improvement upon what was an already solid entry in the Yellowstone lineup.  Nicely done.  8.5/10

Thanks to Luxco and Limestone Branch Distillery for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Glen Scotia Victoriana Single Malt Review

I’ve just realized this is the first Campbeltown whisky I’ve reviewed here on the blog.  Well, glad I’ve corrected that!

Glen Scotia is one of three active distilleries in Campbeltown.  It’s been around since 1832,and finally making its official debut in the United States.  The distillery, owned by the Loch Lomond Group, puts out three regular bottlings: a Double Cask, 15 year old, and the subject of this post: Victoriana.  This single malt is supposed to replicate a style of whiskies from the Victorian era, hence the name.  It’s non-chill filtered, bottled at a hearty 51.5% abv, and runs $110 a bottle.  The whisky is finished in charred oak casks, supposedly giving it a smooth & smoky quality.  

The nose features burnt sugar, varnish, fresh orchard fruits, wood fire, with hints of vanilla and spice.  Taste-wise, though it has some fruity and sweet elements, the whisky comes across slightly savory.  Vanilla extract, polished wood, baked apples, hay, and spice are the most prevalent flavors.  There’s a slight smokiness on the back end, but comes across as more bitter barrel char than peat.  It’s not off putting, and adds a touch more complexity.  A drop of water brings about some candied lemon peel.  Nice.  The medium-length finish is bittersweet, and leaves behind a softly smoked malt note.

I like Glen Scotia Victoriana, though my criticism would be the charred oak barrel finish.  It gives this whisky a slightly bitter/savory quality overall.  Though it makes for a unique experience, I’d love to see this whisky finished in a wine cask or not finished at all.  But, I can only judge what’s in the bottle, and what’s in the bottle is quite enjoyable.  Nicely done.  8/10

Thanks to the Loch Lomond Group for the sample.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.